Bull Canyon Provincial Park

Just west of Alexis Creek on Highway 20 lies the small but beautiful Bull Canyon Provincial Park, a good base from which travellers can explore the Chilcotin region. Bull Canyon is a small campground located in a beautiful canyon, with the glacier blue Chilcotin River flowing past the campground. There is a short walking trail beside the Chilcotin River, and the surrounding area supports excellent fishing, hiking, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, and other outdoor activities amongst the aspen forest and wonderful wildflowers.

View shallow caves in Bull Canyon Mountain on the Chilcotin River Interpretive Trail (2 km return). Although whitewater canoeing and kayaking occur on the Chilcotin River, there is no access to a put-in at this park. The Chilcotin River is a very cold and fast moving river. Children and pets must be kept away from the river, and swimming is not recommended.

From the park you can see caves in the high bluffs of the canyon, which served as the site of the Chilcotin Indian wars. The Chilcotin War was a confrontation in 1864, between members of the Tsilhqot’in (Chilcotin) people and European road construction workers, during which a number of Europeans were killed. The Bute Inlet Wagon Road was to provide a shorter route to the gold fields of the interior of British Columbia, but the route was never completed.

The road was to follow the Homathko River valley from the mouth of Bute Inlet, cross Mount Waddington, and then swing northeast across the Chilcotin Plateau to join the Bentinck Arm Trail at Puntzi Lake and the mouth of the Quesnel River. In defence of their actions, the Chilcotin people said they were waging war, not committing murder.

The peaceful, forested Bull Canyon Park on the Chilcotin River has 20 vehicle and tent campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis – campsite reservations are not accepted. Bull Canyon is the only provincial campsite along Highway 20 between Williams Lake and Tweedsmuir Provincial Park (South). There are several Forest Service campgrounds and two private campgrounds on or near this section of Highway 20.

Bull Canyon Provincial Park, Chilcotin, BC

Facilities provided include pit toilets, picnic tables, fire pits, firewood, and water. A hand pump well located at the entrance of the park in the day-use area. The gates at Bull Canyon are locked during the off-season, from September 15th to June 15th. The closure is for the campground only, and visitors can still walk into the park if conditions permit.

Bull Canyon Provincial Park is located on the Bella Coola Highway 20 on the Chilcotin Plateau, 4 miles (6 km) west of the community of Alexis Creek.